It may seem like a crazy idea, but it is a reality — at least, they hope it will be in the future. a chinese company has created a mini nuclear battery capable of generating stable energy and allowing devices such as mobile phones or drones, enjoy an autonomy of up to 50 years; something that could put an end to tedious chargers; although it is very unlikely that it will be commercialized on a large scale.
The battery, created by the company Betavolt Technology, has dimensions of 15 x 15 x 5 mm. That is, it is considerably smaller than a 5,000 mAh battery that we see in most mobile phones. According to the company, this “combines nickel-63 nuclear isotope decay technology and the first diamond semiconductor module”and is capable of generating 100 microwatts and 3V of electricity through the radioactive decay process.
How does it work? Betavolt Technology says the battery generates an electrical current through the semiconducting transition of electrons emitted by a radioactive source (in this case, nickel-63 isotopes). This is where the diamond semiconductor comes in, which is only 10 microns thick. Betavolt places a 2-micron nickel-63 sheet between two diamond semiconductors, and the energy of this compound is converted into electrical current.
The company assures that the batteries They work well in extreme temperatures (from -60 to 120 degrees Celsius) and are also modular. That is, apparently several batteries can be connected so that the energy output is even greater, “ideal for automotive technology and artificial intelligence systems,” they say.
A “safe” battery that we will hardly see in mobile phones
Betavolt Technology says the batteries are safe and do not emit radiation. In fact, he claims they can be used for medical devices, such as pacemakers. He states, on the other hand, thatDisintegrated nuclear isotopes become non-radioactive copper without “any environmental threat”. Of course, it is information that we must take with a grain of salt, especially taking into account the risks of radiation, even in small doses.
In fact, Betavolt claims that these types of batteries They are in the pilot testing phase, and that until now – with a larger size and greater power, of course – were only used in the aerospace sector and are not suitable for use by civilians. The company also highlights that this component must go through different regulations and that they hope to launch a 1-watt battery on the market in 2025.
It is, therefore, a crazy idea that we will hardly see commercialized in Europe or other markets due to its potential risk.